Very interesting mineral strength discovered. Of course the issue will be how best to turn it into a use able product. But as a new kind of nano particle Goethite dies have potential to provide revolutionary strength.

Rod-shaped goethite nanoparticles with average particle sizes (equivalent spherical diameters) of between ∼9 and 38 nm were synthesized via reaction of ferric nitrate with potassium/sodium hydroxide in aqueous solutions. We deconvoluted the UV–vis spectra into individual absorption bands for each of the nanogoethite samples and determined the particle size dependence for each band. As the particle size decreases, the charge transfer band is slightly red-shifted, whereas five other bands, including the electron pair transition that determines the absorption edge, are blue-shifted. Spectra were also used to determine bandgap energies as a function of particle size via Tauc–Mott plots. Over different photon energy ranges, nanogoethite appears to exhibit direct bandgap (2.5–3.1 eV) and indirect bandgap (1.6–2.1 eV) behaviors. The bandgap widens as particle size decreases, an effect that can be described by the Kayanuma equation, from which the reduced mass of an exciton in nanogoethite was found to be ∼3–4% the mass of a rest electron. The existence of an indirect bandgap at relatively lower energy as compared to the direct bandgap and altered redox properties due to shifts and opening of the bandgap as particle size decreases may partially explain size-dependent chemical and photochemical reactivity of goethite.

[QUOTE=Going Walkabout;1752497]Very interesting mineral strength discovered. Of course the issue will be how best to turn it into a use able product. But as a new kind of nano particle Goethite dies have potential to provide revolutionary strength.

I'm more intrigued by the nano-etching that was performed on a sheet of steel that made it so slippery and water "repelling" that water just ran off a near flat sheet. Can you imagine what that might do to hull friction ..... it might even be useful to "cruisers" :-)
Bill

Don't hold your breath. The previous record holder was spider silk and I've yet to see that offered by North or Quantum or anyone else.

The idea with spider silk is that it is incredibly strong. If you could produce industrial quantities of it you could weave it into an amazing fabric, especially using it as a laminate. Trouble is spiders can't be farmed so a number of firms have pursued the option of genetically modifying goats with a spider gene. The goats give milk, which in turn includes the silk as a protein that can then be extracted.

And maybe you can't get it as an option for your sails today but very likely it's not too far down the track. Also once it is being used it will have some brand/trade name that is unlikely to include an explanation of the fabric's origins. For example how many people know what kevlar is or how it is produced? The production of most hi tech fabrics tends to be under patent and many are trade secrets.

The idea with spider silk is that it is incredibly strong. If you get could produce industrial quantities of it you could weave it into an amazing fabric, especially using it as a laminate. Trouble is spiders can't be farmed so a number of firms have pursued the option of genetically modifying goats with a spider gene. The goats give milk, which in turn includes the silk as a protein that can then be extracted.

And maybe you can't get it as an option for your sails today but very likely it's not too far down the track. Also once it is being used it will have some brand/trade name that is unlikely to include an explanation of the fabric's origins. For example how many people know what kevlar is or how it is produced? The production of most hi tech fabrics tends to be under patent and many are trade secrets.

Trouble is spiders can't be farmed so a number of firms have pursued the option of genetically modifying goats with a spider gene. The goats give milk, which in turn includes the silk as a protein that can then be extracted.